So ya think you can drive and park? Or more appropriately fly and land?

[Goober]

So ya think you can drive and park?
Or more appropriately fly and land?
Kids - Do not try this at home.

Rosetta probe to land on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko | National Post

 

[L Gilbert]

So ya think you can drive and park?
Or more appropriately fly and land?
Kids - Do not try this at home.

Rosetta probe to land on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko | National Post

As long as the vector of the comet is constant and the velocity is as well, it shouldn't be that difficult. Of course, if the rock is tumbling at a fairly rapid rate, the landing would be extremely tricky. I am guessing the folks launbching this probe have chosen a more hospitable host for the probe.
The analogy the scientists provided is quite a bit off. It would be more like a fruit fly landing on a howitzer round.

 

[Goober]

As long as the vector of the comet is constant and the velocity is as well, it shouldn't be that difficult. Of course, if the rock is tumbling at a fairly rapid rate, the landing would be extremely tricky. I am guessing the folks launbching this probe have chosen a more hospitable host for the probe.
The analogy the scientists provided is quite a bit off. It would be more like a fruit fly landing on a howitzer round.

Well comets do give off the odd chunk now and again. I wonder if they have glass insurance.

 

[lone wolf]

It's after 1:30 pm Monday...

 

[taxslave]

It's after 1:30 pm Monday...

Your clock is broken. Not even noon yet.

 

[Goober]

It's after 1:30 pm Monday...

After wake-up, Rosetta will still be about 9 million kilometres from the comet. But by May it will just 1.9 million kilometres from its target, and scientists expect to be able to make final calculations about the comet’s position and orbit. After extensive mapping of the comet’s surface during August and September, a landing site for the mission’s 100 kilogram Philae probe will be chosen.